FAQ
Floor Grading and Packaging FAQ | General Flooring FAQ
NOFMA Clear Oak – A flooring product of mostly heartwood with a minimum number of character marks and discoloration, providing a uniform appearance while allowing for all heartwood natural color variations. Will admit: 3/8” bright sapwood entire length of strip or equivalent if not extending further than 1” for 1/3 length of piece; small burls and fine pin worm holes; and equivalent characters such as small tight checks; in the absence of these, one thin brown streak 3” long to be allowed every 6”.
Standard packaging – Bundles to be 1 1/4’ and longer; average length, bundled or nested, 3 ¾’.
Shorter Packaging – Average length for 7’ and shorter packages, nested or otherwise, 3 ½’.
NOFMA Select Oak – A flooring product with coloration variations produced by differences of natural heart-wood and sapwood, along with characters described.
The face may contain: unlimited sound sapwood; slight imperfections in milling; a small tight knot every 3’; pin worm holes, burls and a reasonable amount of slightly open checks. Brown streaks should not extend the entire length of a piece. Two flag worm holes to every 8’ are permitted. Slight imperfections in face work (torn grain) admitted. An intermittent, brown machine burn across the face not exceeding ¼” width admitted. Also, a slight quantity of bark on the back or sides admitted. Will admit pieces with ½ tongue. Spit filling is generally required for open characters.
Standard Packaging – Bundles to be 1 ¼’ and longer; Average length, bundled or nested, 3 1/4’.
Shorter Packaging – Average length for 7” and short packages, nested or otherwise, 3’.
NOFMA No. 1 Common Oak – A flooring product which contains prominent variations in coloration and varying characters. The following are not admitted: broken knots over ½” in diameter, large grub worm holes, and splits extending through the piece. Open characters such as checks and knot holes are admitted, but must be sound and readily fill. Not more than 20” scant stock in thickness allowed to every 5’. Minor imperfections in machining permitted. Shall admit sticker stain; varying wood characteristics, such as flag worm holes, heavy streaks, checks, and worm holes; and as occasional dark machine burn across the face not exceeding ½” wide, 1/64” deep and not more than two each 3’ ¼ tongue allowed. Extremely dark pieces are not to be included.
Standard Packaging – Bundles to be 1 ¼’ and longer; Average length, bundled or nested, 2 ¾’.
Shorter Packaging – Average length for 7” and short packages, nested or otherwise, 2 ½’.
NOFMA No. 2 Common Oak -- May contain sound natural variations of the forest product and manufacturing imperfections. The purpose of this grade is to furnish a floor suitable for homes, general utility use, or where character marks and contrasting appearance is desired. The following are not admitted: shattered or rotten ends, large broken knots, excessive bad millwork, shake, advanced rot, and similar unsound defects. Dark machine burns exceeding 3/64” deep not admitted. Knot holes and open characters which will readily fill are admitted. A limited number of pieces with no tongue which may be face nailed are admitted.
Standard Packaging – Bundles to be 1 ¼’ and longer; Average length, bundled or nested, 2 ¼’.
Shorter Packaging – Average length for 7’ and shorter packages, nested or otherwise, 2’.
NOFMA Select and Better Beech, Birch & Hard Maple – Shall have the face practically free of all defects, but, the natural color of the wood shall not be considered a defect. Thigh highest standard grade, combines appearance and durability.
Will admit: variations in the Natural Color of the wood (with use of some finishes, slight shadows and color variation may appear); an occasional small, firm Pin Knot, not over 1/8” in diameter, provided it does not occur on edges or ends of strips; occasional dark Green or Black Spots or Streaks not over ¼” wide and 3” long (or its equivalent) which may contain a tight check not over ½” long, provided it is boxed within the piece, Bird’s Eyes and small Burls; slightly torn grain or similar defect which can be readily removed by the ordinary method of sanding the floor after it is laid; slightly shallow place not over 12” long the underside of the flooring if it does not extend to either end of the piece. Pieces with ½ tongue for no more than 25% of the length are allowed. The wood must be sound and free of shake. Bark streaks shall not be permitted.
Bundles shall be 1 ¼’ and longer through 7’ or 8’ as the stock will produce. Not over 55% of the total footage shall be in bundles under 4’; not more than 25% of the total footage shall be in 2’ bundles, and not more than 10% of the footage shall be in 1 ¼’ bundles.
Nested bundles: Maximum average number of pieces under 1 ¼’ shall be 8 pieces. Average length is 3’.
NOFMA No. 1. Common Beech, Birch, and Hard Maple – A floor with varying wood characteristics and colors to include distinct color variations, numerous streaks, stained sapwood, sound knots, and checks. All defects must readily fill. Will admit: sound tight knots, provided they do not occur on edges or ends of strips; slight imperfections in machining; distinct color variations, sticker stain/shadow; numerous dark green or black spots or streaks, provided they do not occur in combination with predominantly dark heartwood; slight checks not exceeding 3” in length (may be slightly open) and running parallel with and well inside the edges and ends of the strips; dark spots or streaks with slight checks in center; small rough spots (torn grain) which cannot be wholly removed by ordinary method of sanding the floor after it is laid; slightly torn edges; short tongue if sufficient to hold properly in the floor; shallow or waney back, if piece has sufficient bearing of full thickness to support it in the floor; small bark streaks where bark is as sound as surrounding wood; and slight variation in angle of end matching. The face shall be free of shake and wood must be sound.
Bundles shall be 1 ¼’ and longer through 7’ or 8’, as the stock will produce. Not over 60% of the total footage shall be in bundles under 4’; not more than 27% of the total footage shall be in 2’ bundles; and not more than 15% of the footage shall be in 1 ¼’ bundles.
Nested bundles: Maximum average number of pieces under 1 ¼’ shall be 12 pieces. Average length is 2 ¾’.
NOFMA No. 2 Common Beech, Birch, and Hard Maple – Must be of such character as will lay and give a good serviceable floor. The wood must be firm, serviceable and may contain all defects common to Maple. Pieces with 1 ¼’ full tongue admitted.
Third grade will not admit: knot holes over 3/8” in diameter or unsound knots where the unsound portion is over 1” in diameter; voices on ends or edges; or shake, heart checks, badly split ends and imperfections in manufacture which would materially impair the serviceability of the floor.
Bundles shall be 1 ¼’ and longer through 7’ or 8’, as the stock will produce. Not over 85% of the total footage shall be in bundles under 4’; and not more than 55% of the total footage shall be 1 ¼’ bundles.
Nested bundles: Maximum average number of pieces under 1 ¼’ shall be 42. Average length 2 ¼’.
NOFMA No. 1 Common and Better Beech, Birch, and Hard Maple – A combination of FIRST GRADE and SECOND GRADE developing from the production run. The lowest grade pieces admissible shall not be less than SECOND GRADE.
Bundles shall be 1 ¼’ and longer through 7’ and 8’ as the stock will produce. Not over 60% of the total footage shall be in bundles under 4’; not more than 27% of the total footage shall be in 2’ bundles; and not more than 15%of the footage shall be 1 ¼’ bundles.
Nested bundles: Maximum average number of pieces under 1 ¼’ shall be 12 pieces. Average length 2 ¾’.
NOFMA No.2 Common and better, Beech, Birch and Hard Maple – A combination of FIRST GRADE, SECOND GRADE, and THIRD GRADE developing from the production run. The lowest grade pieces admissible shall not be less than THIRD GRADE.
Bundles shall be 1 ¼’ and longer through 7’ or 8’, as the stock will product. Not over 60% of the total footage shall be in bundles under 4’.
Nested bundles: Maximum average number of pieces under 1 ¼’ shall be 42. Average length 2 ¼’.
NOFMA Clear White Maple – Hard Maple – Is special stock, selected for uniformity of color. It is almost ivory white and is the finest grade of Hard Maple flooring that can be produced. Sapwood/Heartwood pieces must have 95% sapwood on the face. Strips must be free from stain and heartwood portion must be nearly white. All FIRST GRADE rules apply.
EXCEPTIONS: Streaks- should be light brown or light green, not over ¼” wide and 3” long (or equivalent), one per 3’. Black spots, sticker stain/shadow, not admitted.
NOFMA Clear Red Beech & Birch – Are special grades produced from all red faced tock, and are specially selected for color. The color in rich, being a soft tint which lends these two woods an individuality found in no other species. Strips must have 95% red faced characteristics. All FIRST GRADE rules apply.
EXCEPTIONS: Streaks – should be light brown, black spots, sticker stain/shadow, not admitted.
NOFMA Select and better Hickory / Pecan – Shall have the face practically free of all defects, but the natural color of the wood shall not be considered a defect. The highest standard grade, combines a nearly uniform appearance with exceptional durability.
The flowing characters are admitted: variations in the natural color of the wood, heartwood and sapwood; an occasional small, firm pin knot or bird peck, not over 1/8” in diameter, provided it does not occur on edges or ends of strips; dark streaks not over ¼” wide and 3” long (or its equivalent one for every 3 ft. in length); slight checks not over ½” long, provided check is boxed within the piece, small burls, slight torn grain or slight intermittent machine burn, or similar defect which can be readily removed by the ordinary method of sanding the floor after it is laid; a slightly shallow place not over 12” long on underside of the flooring if it does not extend to either end of the piece. Pieces with ½ tongue for no more than 25% of the length are allowed. The wood must be free of shake. Bark streaks shall not be permitted.
Packaging: 8’ or shorter, nested or bundled. Pieces/bundles shall be 1 ¼’ and longer through 7’ or 8’ as the stock will produce (9” minimum 102” maximum). Average length 3 1/4’. Average length for 7’ and shorter packages, nested or otherwise – 3’.
NOFMA No 1 Common Hickory / Pecan – A floor with varying wood characteristics and colors to include heavy streaks, stained sapwood, sound knots, checks, and small splits. All defects must readily fill and be sound.
The following characteristics are admitted: broken knots up to ½” in diameter; distinct color variations (predominantly dark, discolored pieces not allowed0; stick stain/shadow; numerous dark streaks or black spots; check to 1/16” not exceeding 3” in length, and running parallel and well inside the strip edges; small end split 1/16” x ½” showing no movement; bird pecks to ½” where bark is sound and as hard as surrounding wood.
Minor imperfections in machining permitted; torn grain (less than 1/16” deep and 3” long for full width); slightly torn edges; and an occasional dark machine burn ½” in width (1 per 3’). Will admit pieces with ½ full tongue entire length of piece.
Packaging: 8’ or shorter, nested or bundled. Pieces/Bundles shall be1 ¼’ and longer through 7’ or 8’ as the stock will produce (9” minimum, 102” maximum). Average length 2 ¾’. Average length for 7’ and shorter packages, nested or otherwise: 2 ½’.
NOFMA No 1 Common and Better Hickory/Pecan – A combination of FIRST GRADE and SECOND GRADE developing from the production run. The lowest grade pieces allowed are SECOND GRADE.
Packaging: 8’ or shorter, Nested or bundled. Pieces/Bundles shall be 1 ¼’ and longer through 7’ or 8’ as the stock will produce (9” minimum, 102” maximum). Average length 2 ¾’. Average length for 7’ and shorter packages, nested or otherwise 2 ½’.
NOFMA No 2 common Hickory / Pecan – Must be of such character as will lay and give a good serviceable floor. The wood must be firm, and may contain defects of every character. This grade is intended to give a “rustic” appearance.
The flowing defects are not allowed: knot holes over 3/8” in diameter or unsound knots where the unsound portion is over 1” in diameter (the unsound portion can not extend through piece); shack, soft rot, splits and open defects which extend through piece or show movement; torn grain more than ¼” deep, edge splinters; and imperfections in manufacture which would materially impair the serviceability of the floor.
Knot holes, bird pecks, worm holes, and the like which will readily fill are admitted. Pieces with ¼ full tongue admitted.
Packaging: 8’ or shorter, nested or bundled. Pieces/Bundles shall be 1 ¼’ and longer through 7’ or 8’ as the stock will product (9” minimum, 102” maximum). Average length 2 ¼’. Aver length 7’ and shorter packages, nested or otherwise – 2’.
NOFMA No 2. common and better Hickory / Pecan – A combination of FIRST GRADE, SECOND GRADE, and THIRD GRADE developing from the production run. The lowest graded pieces allowed are THIRD GRADE.
Packaging: 8’ or shorter, nested or bundled. Pieces/Bundles shall be 1 ¼’ and longer through 7’ or 8’ as the stock will produce (9” minimum, 102” maximum). Average length 2 ¼’. Average length for 7’ and short packages, nested or otherwise – 2’.
NOFMA Clear Red Hickory / Pecan – Is a special stock selected for its deep rd/brown color with the minimal contrast of lighter sapwood. Face of pieces shall be heartwood (95%). All first grade rules apply.
NOFMA Clear White Hickory / Pecan – Is a special stock selected for its creamy color with the minimal contrast of the darker heartwood. The face of pieces shall be bright sapwood (95%). All First Grade Rules apply.
EXCEPTIONS: Streaks should be light brown not over ¼” wide and 3” long (or equivalent) one per 3’. Black spots not allowed, sticker stain/shadow none allowed.
NOFMA No 1 Common Red Hickory / Pecan – Is special stock selected for minimal contrasting lighter sapwood. Face pieces shall be heartwood (85%). All second grade rules apply.
NOFMA Clear Ash – The face shall be practically free of defects. The following characters are admitted: Small burls (less than 1/8” diameter, fine pin worm holes with no discoloration (1 for every 3’ in length); or in the absence of these one (1) thin light brown streak (3’ long to be allowed for every 6’ of length or equivalent. Brown heartwood is allowed: 3/8” entire length or one 1” for one-third the length of the strip. Clear Ash is usually chosen for it’s light color.
Bundles to be 1 ¼’ and up. Average length (standard packaging) 3 ¾’. Average length for shorter packaging, nested or otherwise – 3 ½’.
NOFMA Select Ash – The face shall contain mostly sapwood, unstained. The following characters are admitted: Narrow streaks not running entire length of the strip; pin worm holes (up to 3 every 3’ on length); imperfections in milling (torn grain) which will sand out, one (1) small tight knot (1/4” in diameter) to every 3’ in length; small pith fleck (less than ¼” diameter); an intermittent brown machine burn across the face not exceeding ¼” in width,; and unlimited cambium miners.
Brown heartwood is allowed: 3/8” entire length or 1” for one-third the length of the strip. Will admit pieces with ½ tongue. Most defects are lost sight of after the floor is laid and finished, giving a good appearance.
Bundles to be 1 ¼’ and up. Average length (standard packaging) 3 ¼’. Average length for short packaging, nested or otherwise, 3’.
NOFMA No 1 Common Ash – A floor with varying wood characteristics such as heavy streaks, stained sapwood, and sound knots typical of this grade. All defects must readily fill and be sound. The following characters are admitted: broken knots up to ½” in diameter, pith flecks less than 3/16” in diameter; worm holes up to 3/16” in diameter; checks and end splits less than 1/16” in depth wide and not extending through the piece and sticker stain.
Minor imperfections in machining permitted, Torn grain (not over one-fourth (1/4) of the surface, less than 1/16” in depth); one (10 dark machine burn across the face for every 3’ of length not exceeding ½” in width, ¼” in depth.
Will admit pieces with ¼ tongue.
Bundles to be 1 ¼’ and up. Average length (standard packaging) 2 ¾’. Average length for shorter packaging, nested or otherwise, 2 ½’.
NOFMA No 2. Common Ash – Defects of every character admitted, but, should lay a serviceable floor.
The following defects are NOT allowed: Soft rot, broken knows where the unsound portion extends through the piece; torn grain over 3/16” in depth; splits and open defects extending through the piece; shake and pith flecks that are soft if over ¼” in diameter.
Knot holes and defects which will readily fill are admitted.
A limited number of pieces with no tongue and limited number of pieces that are thin (scan) in thickness but will End Match admitted.
Bundles to be 1 ¼’ and up. Average length (standard packaging) 2 ¼’. Average length for shorter packaging, nested or otherwise, 2’.
- How do I clean my floor?
- Can I glue the flooring to the substrate?
- What subfloor do I need to install my hardwood flooring?
- How thick does my subfloor have to be?
- Can I install wood flooring in my basement?
- Can I switch off my heating or air conditioning when I go away on vacation?
- Do I have to acclimate the flooring before installation?
- How long, after installation, do I have to wait before I can walk on the floor?
- What will happen to my floor if I allow my dogs to run on them?
- How do I protect my floors from furniture?
- Does wood flooring promote a healthy indoor environment?
- My client suffers from allergies. Is wood flooring hypoallergenic?
- Is the natural environment protected during the harvesting and manufacturing of wood flooring?
- Once installed, how often must wood flooring be replaced?
- Is recycled wood flooring available?
- Where can I learn more about the environmental benefits of wood flooring?
Q : How do I clean my floor ?
A: Sweep or vacuum the floor regularly in order to keep abrasives such as sand from damaging your floor. Never use wax, oil-based detergents or any household cleaners to clean your Prefinished flooring. This may dull the finish. Use specialized hardwood flooring cleaning products such as Basic Coatings Squeaky Cleaner.
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Q: Can I glue the flooring to the substrate?
A: Yes, your wood floor may be either glued or nailed or stapled to the sub floor.
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Q: What sub floor do I need to install my Hardwood Flooring?
A: We recommend the use of either CDX Fir, Pine Plywood or O.S.B. Certified Particle board
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Q: How thick does my sub floor have to be?
A: Should be 3/4 inch, but 5/8” as stated by the N.W.F.A.
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Q: Can I install Wood Flooring in my basement?
A: It is not recommended to install solid hardwood flooring in a basement. There is too much humidity. You can however install engineered flooring in your basement.
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Q: Can I switch off my heating or air conditioning when I go away on vacation?
A: Absolutely not, you must maintain a relative humidity of 40%-60%, and a temperature of 65-75 degrees.
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Q: Do I have to acclimate the flooring before installation?
A: It is absolutely necessary to acclimate solid wood flooring 72 hours prior to installing the flooring. The flooring has to acclimate in the room the flooring will be installed. Boen Engineered flooring requires NO ACCLAMATION PERIOD.
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Q: How long, after installation, do I have to wait before I can walk on the floor?
A: If you’re installing prefinished flooring, you can walk on it as soon as it has been installed. For Unfinished flooring check with your installer.
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Q: What will happen to my floor if I allow my dogs to run on them?
A: Hardwood Flooring is very scratch resistant. However, it should be noted that no hardwood flooring will resist pets’ claws.
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Q: How do I protect my floors from furniture?
A: Use felt protectors under the legs of the furniture to protect your flooring.
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Q: Does wood flooring promote a healthy indoor environment?
A: Yes! Bacteria, dust and dirt do not embed themselves in wood flooring, as they do in other flooring options. Simple regular maintenance—such as dust mopping, sweeping, or vacuuming—keeps wood floors sanitary.
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Q: My client suffers from allergies. Is wood flooring hypoallergenic?
A: Millions of people suffer from sensitivity to chemicals and toxins. Tests by leading allergists have proven that wood flooring provides a healthier environment for these allergy sufferers. Wood doesn't harbor irritating dust and microorganisms.
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Q: Is the natural environment protected during the harvesting and manufacturing of wood flooring?
A: Yes. Far from a depleting resource, hardwood is sustainable and commercially more available now than ever before. On the 486 million acres of forestland in the United States classified as commercial, substantially more wood is added in new growth each year than is harvested. For hardwood species, 86 percent more wood is added annually in net growth than is removed through harvest. Manufacturers of glue-down wood flooring meet Clean Air Act standards for construction adhesives. A national environmental standard for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) is anticipated in the next few years, but manufacturers are already offering VOC-compliant wood flooring products.
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Q: Once installed, how often must wood flooring be replaced?
A: Every hundred years or so. In fact, the heart pine floors in historic Bacon's Castle in Virginia are more than three centuries old and counting. Simple care and maintenance keeps wood floors looking beautiful for a lifetime. Instead of laying an entirely new floor when the original is worn, wood floors can be rejuvenated with sanding and refinishing. When done by a wood flooring professional, wood floors need only to be refinished every 10 - 15 years or 10 - 12 times during a floor's life. When a wood floor's useful life is over, it's completely biodegradable.
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Q: Is recycled wood flooring available?
A: Yes. Wood salvaged from a variety of sources, including old barns and factories, is a popular high-end design trend. Wood recovered from riverbeds is another growing segment of the wood flooring industry. Logs that sank during logging operations years ago are being recovered by a number of companies and used to create truly unique flooring. Today's only significant source for heartwood from long-leaf pine is through reclaimed timbers from warehouses and factories constructed during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Chestnut, hemlock, poplar, walnut, and cypress are other options.
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Where can I learn more about the environmental benefits of wood flooring?
To order a free video on wood flooring and the environment, call the NWFA at (800) 422-4556.
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